I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is!


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Is Infant Baptism Valid?

Question: My parents told me that I was baptized as an infant. Some of my Christian friends say I need to be baptized again. Why?

Baptism is one part of your overall commitment to Christ. It is a public proclamation of that commitment. That being so, the person being baptized must be old enough to have made a sincere commitment to Christ himself or herself. Children can do this at a fairly early age in some cases. I see baptism of infants as the parents committing the child to Christ, and that is OK, but I believe the biblical pattern is for people to be baptized following conversion (see Acts 16:29-34 for one example). Baptism is not necessary for salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:17 Lets not forget the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He was saved though never baptized. Having said that I want to say baptism is biblical and important. If you were baptized young, and/or are not sure you had given your life to Christ prior to your baptism, just do it again. Jesus considered baptism so important that He did it Himself, and made it part of His instructions in "The Great Commission" (read Matthew 28:16-20)


Revenant Scripture
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Matthew 3:16


In the grip of grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

12
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1 comment:

Steve Finnell said...

THE FAVORITE PROOF-TEXT FOR INFANT BAPTISM BY STEVE FINNELL

The most popular proof-text in support of infant baptism is Acts 16:33. The problem is you have ignore other verses, such as Acts 16:31, 32, and 34.

THE PROOF-TEXT: Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. (NKJV)

Does that prove that infants were baptized? No it does not.

The Jailer asked Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved. (Acts 16:30) The answer was: Acts 16:31 So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.(NKJV)

The Jailer could not believe for his household. Salvation is an individual choice.

Acts 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in the house.(NKJV)

Paul and Silas preached to all the household. Infants do understand the gospel. There were no infants hearing and believing the gospel.

Acts 16:34 Now when he had brought them into the house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.(NKJV)

The Jailer and all of his household believed before they were baptized. Infants are not capable of believing in God. Infants cannot understand the gospel message. Infants cannot believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The fact that the jailer and all of his household believed, eliminates the possibility of any infants being baptized that night.

Jesus said in Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..."(NKJV)

Paul and Silas did not the change the words of Jesus. Belief is required in order to be saved, as is baptism, and belief precedes immersion in water. There are no cases found in the Bible where an unbeliever is baptized. Infants are unbelievers.

If God approves of baptizing unbelieving infants; then why not baptize unbelieving adults???


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